You can still find fish with your sonar the way they are, but the IPilot is like having another Captain in the boat to control the boat for you while you fish....not to mention the virtues of the Spot Lock...greatest invention ever!!

I dunno, tough decision actually, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ya hafta take into consideration the "rebate" part of that decision!! Both items on the wish list are great features to add no doubt, but were it me, I'd strongly consider the LSS-1 right now with the rebate!! You might be able to find someone selling their used IPilot at a greatly reduced price if their upgrading to the newer IPilot!!

I pilot hands down. Structure scan doesn't act as another person in your boat as Juls said it's functionality far outweighs a fancy graph that is somewhat gimmicky anyways will it help yes but boat control puts fish in the boat period, regular sonar gets the job done.

If you had the choice between adding I-pilot to your exisitng TM or structure scan to your existing HDS5 & 7 set-up, which would you do first?

After rebate on the SS they both are roughly $450 each. I would like to add one or the other this year and add the other next year as the amount of $ already spent on the boat this year is quite high.

Thanks,

Del

IMO...I-Pilot. If you have a Terrova go for it. If you have Powerdrive make sure you consider this...you will lose your foot pedal completely. Some folks are okay with that. I tried out an I-Pilot on my old boat with a PD2. Features were awesome. Spot lock is a godsend. BUT..... I do a large amount of vertical jigging with 2 rods. Try controlling your TM from a pendant with a rod in each hand. You end up poking at the buttons with the rod butt. Got so frustrated I took it off and sold it.

I pilot is an awesome addition to a boat, I could be without it, but I have no experience yet with my LSS1, just installed I this week. Also I paid $365 after rebate, search and you can find the LSS1 for $515 shipped, I heard of them for $495-$500 but didn't find that myself.

The way I see it if you have LSS1 and find spots/structure, but then couldn't stay on that spot you find what good is it, and you CAN find the same spots with your regular depthfinder, I assume you have an HDS just not LSS1.

I guess you could stay on the spot with a regular trolling motor too though, just not as easily as pressing a button and fishing.

I think I will still say I-pilot is my number one accessory.

Man I think the good old days, it was great just to have a depth finder that could lock on the bottom!

I can see the rebate argument, but I'm still taking the I-Pilot and its not even close. Like was said earlier, boat control is paramount in this game. The auto pilot and spot lock functions are worth every dime and then some. I have only been out a couple of times with my LSS and I have learned a great deal, but it still doesn't compare, so far at least. Great question though!